Re/Deinstalling impossibe

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

Here's my problem:

DVD version of CIV. Could install without any problems. Game runs fine (well, not great, since it's a 1.5GHz laptop - but it works without any real problems, just a bit slow on standard+ maps). No Gfx issues.

But: I cannot patch. Regardless of the patch# or source, it's always "No installation of CIV detected".
First thing I tried of course was to de-install - but to no avail: I get the correct install shield, but once that is done, nothing happens. So, I do understand enough of the CIV structure to manually remove every single CIV file from my machine; but, the only difference is: Without the reg entry, I now get the option/install shield to install (and can choose a language), and no longer for deinstallation. Nothing else happens; no error message, no crash, no system activity detectable.

Machine is a Dell Inspiron 8600 laptop; GeForce Go 5650.
My assumption would be the copy protection: The combined DVD/CD drive doesn't work without instantly creating a virtual drive; maybe the copy protection shuts down upon detecting such a thing. But then...why could I install at all???

(Note I did already check for the install shield version problem; clearly all dx10/11 files).

Any suggestions?

 

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

Well, of course one possible explanation would be that my DVD is broken...but so far, I shy away from spending another 50 €.

 

[xatsmann]

I have had a the same problem with the DVD version. I have also manually removed all of the install directories and the folders under my name in documents and settings. I was directed to a discussion thread that had some info on editing my reg entries but I could not compelete it because I could not fill out some of the information--where is the install directory on my machine??? I don't know.

I have new Dell XPS desktop with a 512 GeForce card and 1 Gig of memory and two 2.8 Gig processors.

I have contacted Take2k but they only told me to remove it and reinstall it and now won't answer my e-mail.

 

[auldian]

There are some ideas and links (some have had success) in xatsmann's thread here. In short, a player named Petek changed the version number in the registry's uninstall key to a lower value. This seemed to fool the patch into running
Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

 

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

auldian: Now that indeed sounds like a possible solution...problem is:
In my existing uninstall key (the CFBC...etc thingie) there are only 3 entries aside from 'standard':

Logfile
Uninstallstring
Version

and no such thing as a "InstallSource" or "RegOwner". So I do not know how to edit those to match my machine...
And the only other key with that name (under ARPCache) contains only standard/changed/SlowCache entries.
Also, I do have no option to deinstall at all (got it exactly once when the problem occured) - I only have the option to install.
Seems like that in my case not only the uninstall reg key is defunkt, but the entire civ4.reg...crap.

 

[auldian]

auldian: Now that indeed sounds like a possible solution...problem is:
In my existing uninstall key (the CFBC...etc thingie) there are only 3 entries aside from 'standard':

Logfile
Uninstallstring
Version

and no such thing as a "InstallSource" or "RegOwner". So I do not know how to edit those to match my machine...
And the only other key with that name (under ARPCache) contains only standard/changed/SlowCache entries.
Also, I do have no option to deinstall at all (got it exactly once when the problem occured) - I only have the option to install.
Seems like that in my case not only the uninstall reg key is defunkt, but the entire civ4.reg...crap.

If you uninstalled the game and deleted the Sid Meier's Civilization 4 folders (there are 3 of them by default), then you can probably delete that registry key as well and try a fresh install. Be 100% certain that it's the Firaxis Civ4 key and not for another program you have; the registry is not "undoable". I'd recommend a non-standard install path, such as "\Firaxis Games\CivIV\..." instead of "\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\ ... " for the new install. Try to apply the patch to the fresh install from a downloaded file rather than the autoupdate in Civ4.
My fingers are crossed. Good luck.

 

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

Thanks, but this doesn't work. I cannot install. I went as far as removing each and any file that was created on the day I originally installed CIV...and any Firaxis file. Note I really know a lot about CIVs file structure...
Like I said in the first post, there doesn't happen anything after the install shield and language selection. And this includes selecting the install path - I don't get to chose it.